We’re sooner or later away from Opening Day at Petco Park. Earlier than setting our sights on the Atlanta Braves, allow us to take a second to understand a big sports activities second. The Friar Trustworthy have witnessed a quarter-century of San Diego Padres baseball since flipping the calendar into the 2000s.
It introduced a transfer from Mission Valley to the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. In October 2001, Tony Gwynn performed his final sport at Qualcomm Stadium. Collectively, we gathered to rejoice the longer term Corridor of Famer’s distinguished profession. The Friar Trustworthy christened the opening of Petco Park in April 2004. The Padres outlasted the San Francisco Giants in a 4-3 further innings victory.
Now, it’s time to share my Padres quarter-century staff. Hopefully, the picks encourage debate:
Catcher: Nick Hundley
The catcher place has been a revolving door during the last 25 seasons for the Padres. The franchise had 15 totally different catchers begin on Opening Day, however Nick Hundley stood out among the many group of mediocre candidates. The fan’s frustrations with him centered on his offensive shortcomings.
In seven seasons with the Padres. Hundley batted .238 with 47 HRs and 195 RBIs. He caught over 100 video games as soon as in his Friars profession, which coincidentally was his finest season in San Diego. Hundley batted .233 with 13 HRs (career-high) and 44 RBIs in 114 video games.
He grew into changing into a gradual voice contained in the clubhouse, which raised his reputation with the followers. However that love affair was short-lived as his offensive numbers dwindled to a stage the place the Padres dealt Hundley away.
Honorable mentions: Mike Piazza, Gary Sanchez
First Base: Adrian Gonzalez
It’s powerful to go in opposition to the hometown hero, Adrian Gonzalez. He was the primary total decide of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins. Earlier than making his main league debut, Gonzalez was dealt to the Texas Rangers. In January 2006, the Rangers despatched him to San Diego in a blockbuster commerce.
The Eastlake HS grad was finest recognized for his power-hitting and defensive abilities throughout his 5 seasons in San Diego. Gonzalez hit 161 HRs, together with 4 straight 30+ seasons (2007-2010). It places him third on the Padres’ all-time HR record, behind Manny Machado and Nate Colbert. His defensive vary off first base was off the charts. Gonzalez was the NL help chief at first base in 4 of the 5 seasons with the Friars, and he received two Gold Gloves throughout that interval.
Honorable mentions: Ryan Klesko, Yonder Alonso
Second Base: Mark Loretta
The sweet-swinging, smooth-fielding Mark Loretta locked up the second base place after his unbelievable 2004 season. The statistical line from that memorable summer time resembles a spotlight on a HOFer’s profession resume. Loretta batted .335 with 208 hits, 108 runs scored, 47 doubles, 16 HRs, and 76 RBIs. It appeared like every little thing got here collectively for him. You marveled how Loretta used Petco Park’s dimensions to his benefit.
Different honors embrace being chosen to the Nationwide League All-Star staff, successful a Gold Glove Award, and Silver Slugger Award within the offseason. Loretta is the final Friar to have 200 or extra hits in a season. Sadly, he might by no means duplicate his 2004 season, however Loretta did play a job in main the Padres to a postseason look the next 12 months.
Honorable mentions: Jake Cronenworth, Jedd Gyorko
Third Base: Manny Machado
Few phrases can describe the significance of Manny Machado to the Padres. He signed a big-money contract with San Diego when it was not cool. The late Peter Seidler knew signing him was the primary ingredient of the recipe for fulfillment. Shortly, Machado made himself a cornerstone of the franchise by changing into a part of the local people.
During the last 25 seasons, no different Friars third baseman has come near matching his on-field manufacturing. In six seasons with the Padres, Machado has a profession .275 with 167 HRs and 536 RBIs. Machado surpassed Nate Colbert because the franchise’s all-time HR hitter with 167 final season. When his profession concludes, Machado might be a first-ballot inductee to Cooperstown.
Honorable mentions: Phil Nevin, Chase Headley
Shortstop: Fernando Tatis Jr.
What’s left to be mentioned about Fernando Tatis Jr. He’s the face of baseball for a brand new era of Padres followers. If not for a PED suspension, Tatis Jr. can be a part of MLB’s advertising and marketing program to advertise the game. His reputation shouldn’t be judged by jersey gross sales or fan enthusiasm. As a substitute, it ought to be extra about how Tatis Jr. can change the end result of a sport along with his bat, legs, and glove.
Let’s not overlook that he led the Nationwide League with 42 HRs in 2021. Opposing pitchers attempt to chorus from strolling him due to his excellent base-running abilities. Tatis Jr. is adept at difficult fielders as a result of he can rating from any base. Let’s not overlook that he’s a defensive wizard. Tatis Jr. entered the majors as a shortstop however he has made a seamless transition to the outfield. In reality, he received a Gold Glove Award for his right-field play in 2022.
Honorable mentions: Khalil Greene, Ha-Seong Kim
Left Subject: Wil Myers
Selecting a left-fielder was probably the most difficult choice of the venture. It got here right down to Wil Myers and Jurickson Profar. The latter was a Friar Trustworthy favourite, a participant who fueled the lineup in varied methods. However Myers was a helpful utility participant lengthy earlier than the Padres entrance workplace embraced his versatility.
If the lineup wanted a primary baseman, Myers was your man.
If the lineup wanted a nook outfielder, Myers was your man.
If the lineup wanted a 3rd baseman, Myers was your man.
Sadly, accidents restricted his availability. Myers performed over 100 video games in solely 4 out of his eight seasons in San Diego. His finest season with the Friars was in 2016. Myers batted .259 with 28 HRs and 94 RBIs in 157 video games. It earned him an All-Star Recreation look. And nobody will overlook Myers hitting for the cycle on a frigid April evening in Colorado the next season.
Honorable mentions: Jurickson Profar, Hunter Renfroe
Middle Subject: Mark Kotsay
The 5 seasons that Mark Kotsay performed in San Diego, he was thought of one of many high defensive centerfielders in baseball. It was a pleasure to observe him patrol the gaps every day. He tracked the ball off the bat with nice ease and tranquility. Usually, Kotsay would drift effortlessly towards the warning observe to catch a well-hit ball for an out. He was a robust defender who averaged a 3WAR every season.
Kotsay was the proper top-of-the-order hitter. He had skilled at-bats by extending the batting depend. It pressured pitchers to point out their total repertoire. His endurance allowed the opposite batters within the lineup to establish the pitcher’s routine earlier than moving into the batter’s field.
Honorable mentions: Jackson Merrill, Mike Cameron
Proper Subject: Brian Giles
Historical past has measured Brian Giles as a constant, underappreciated hitter throughout his tenure with the Padres. He’s finest recognized for his endurance on the plate. A stroll was simply nearly as good as a single. Giles posted over a 1.000 OPS 5 instances in his 15-year MLB profession.
Usually, the Friars announcers would joke that Giles knew the strike zone higher than most umpires. A deteriorating proper knee harm restricted his play in 2009 and compelled him to retire at season’s finish.
Honorable mentions: Juan Soto, Will Venable
Designated Hitter: Tony Gwynn
If you happen to assume I might write an all-quarter-century staff article with out together with Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, you’re mistaken.
Allow us to take a peek at his Corridor-of-Fame resume, as Gwynn is the all-time Padres record-holder within the following classes:
Batting common: .338
Runs scored: 1,383
Hits: 3,141
Whole bases: 4,259
Singles: 2,378
Doubles: 543
Triples: 85
RBIs: 1,138
Walks: 790
Stolen bases: 319
Defensively, he received 5 Gold Glove Awards, which isn’t unhealthy for somebody the scouts known as a legal responsibility within the discipline.
A continual knee harm restricted Gwynn’s capability to complete a season on the tail finish of his profession. Nevertheless, if the DH place had been obtainable within the NL, he would have excelled. Few of his contemporaries might match Gwynn’s love of the sport.
Left-handed Starter: David Wells
How acceptable that one other San Diego native is on the staff. The massive southpaw returned dwelling to steer his staff into their new digs, Petco Park, in 2004. Wells succeeded by stabilizing a troubled beginning rotation.
He went 12-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 31 begins. Wells struck out 101 batters in 195.2 IP. Additionally, he led the majors in BB9 class with a 0.9, as Wells walked solely 20 batters for the season.
Honorable mentions: Clayton Richard, Sterling Hitchcock
Proper-handed Starter: Jake Peavy
The eight seasons that Jake Peavy performed with the Padres cemented his place among the many high starters who pitched throughout this era. Over this span, Peavy had a 92-68 file and a 3.29 ERA in 212 begins. He recorded 1,348 strikeouts in opposition to 435 walks in 1,342.2 IP.
In 2007, Peavy turned the primary Padre beginning pitcher to realize baseball’s Triple Crown, attaining 19 wins, 2.54 ERA, and 240 strikeouts. His excellent season earned him the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award. His profession achievements helped him to turn out to be the 18th inductee to the Padres Corridor-of-Fame.
Honorable mentions: Joe Musgrove, Chris Younger
Nearer: Trevor Hoffman
How are you going to describe Trevor Hoffman’s greatness in two paragraphs? Nicely, I’ll give it a strive. However his 16-year profession in San Diego might be onerous to duplicate by one other reliever.
Hoffman recorded 552 saves in 902 appearances, as he pitched to a 2.76 ERA. Trevor Time struck out 1,029 batters in 952.1 IP and closed out 761 video games. San Diego has been dwelling to a number of Corridor-of-Fame closers, however there’ll by no means be one like Hoffman once more.
Honorable mentions: Heath Bell, Brad Hand
